Vehicle spring controller



Ill

Dec. 21,1925;

J. B. HARRIS vmucu: SPRING CONTROLLER FiledAprii 25, 1925- pairs as to reduce the liability to 'bre I iatemedDec. 21,19 5

Lewes} phimlbll v Q J JOSEPH'B, HARRIS, orcinvntarinfemo, ass' re'ivoa rorrrnrraams SPRING BRAKE "COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, orrro ,j-a;cearoaarron or orrro.

" 1 versions seams jcoNraoLLna.

Applicatioh mai'a rn 2.5], 1825. seal No. 25,756.

My inventionrelates to improvements in vehicle spring controllers, and more particularly to mechanism of-this type for modify ing or controlling the action; of the vehicle springs, including. means particularly de signed and adapted tomodifythe action of such spr ngs W ien moved 1n one directlon,

My improved device is adapted'to be applied to a vehicle in such a Way as to permit the, free. yielding of the springs under compresstructions or 'undulatory surfaces and hencefull-elasticity is secured at such time's, there- .by permitting thevehicle springs to actv quickly and in the mostefiicientmanner;

The primary object of my invention-is to provide a generally; improved spring con troller or'rebound check of this type, which will be exceedingly simple in construction;

cheap ofmanufacture, and; eificient in use, as-well as one in which the parts are so constructed and disposed relative to each other arrangement to the minimum. g

A further and important ob-ject'is thepro vision of means for frictlonally retard ng the rebound of the, vehicle whereby breakage of thevehicle springs isprevented and the .ve-

hicle is caused to ride smoothly over the roughest roads, together with improved means for ad ust ng'the retard ng means to.

meet the varyingconditions and exigencies of actual serviceand to imumiefficiency thereo A still further andimportant object theprovision of an improved controller of this i type in' which the various parts are so i arranged disposedrelativeto each other as to automatically compensate'forvvear on p p ti'vely -,;fixed ian d mqvabl ybrakeorcl utch; 1 fniembers oneof .tliese jmembers being-cod} g i .nectedto the spring suspended.lmember,or. body of; the fvehicle, such for example; as the rially lessening the pressure or resistance: b etween suchsurfaces, as ell as 0ne 1n:vvl11ch the pressure betiveeu the friction ,beari'ng the appended claims.

akage or disprovide for the the friction bearing surfaces without-mate};

surfaces may be adjusted. or, varied, as idesiried; to compensate-for the varying loads to .be carriedby the vehicle springs. V v A still further and important object is the provision of an improved form of relatively fixed clutch of brake member,preferably inithe specific form of as e'gmental brake shoe resilientlyand a'djustably carried so as-to automatically compensate for Wear inthe frictional engaging partsand provided with readily renewable brake liner and brake liner carrylng strip or section. With theabove mentioned and of parts; hereinafter described, illustrated/in onef of its'embodiments inthe accompanying other ends -1I1 View, the invention cons sts in the novel construction, arrangement 1 and comb natlon drawings, m lparticularly point-edout inf Referring to the drawings,

forming a part of thi's specificatlon, Figurell 1s a fragmentar-y side elevation of the front portion of a vehicle I chassis frame and the firont axle and [interposed vehicle spring, jequippediwith a controller constructed and connected I in 'accordance 1With' this invention,- the longitudinal: section of the. controller unit being. taken substantially on line 1 1 of F ig.f2.

Fig; 2 a central longitudinal crosssectionl al view ofthe' assembled control ler unit/{detached', taken on j1ine'2-2 of Fig, 1. 1

. 3 Fig. 3, a; plan viewof the'underside-of attachi-ng or bearing block; detached, and 1 illustrating in particular therelatively fixed clutch or brake shoe carryingabutment, the

brake liner and brakehliner carrying section of the brake shoe beingremoved for the pur-' pose-of clearer illustrationof the parts.

assembled unit, chass s SlClQ bar Similar numerals Fig.4, a front elevationof thecomplete or etachefdk' from."'the'.vehicle' t 'l,- 90 .of reference designate like partsthroughout all f the figures of the 7 drawings; p p I The improved controller compr sesrela 92'; i H e V v 1,e11,s:1 1

spring 3, as illustrated in'Fig. l of the drawings.

'As a means of providing a suitable bear ing or carrying block for the variousworki11 arts and'convenientl connectin an assembled controller unit to a relatively fixed part of the vehicle, such forex'ample, as the chassis side bar 1, a bearingblock at, isprovided, said block being provided with, a bearing axle or spindle 8.

As a convenient means of attaching the block 4 .to the chassis side bar 1, the inner side of the base or bracket portion ofthe block is provided with a boss r, carrying a threaded bolt 4 adapted to extend through a suitable opening in the chassis side bar 1 and to be-connected thereto by means of a suitable nut at the'opposite side thereof. As

a means of preventing anyrelative circumferential movement of the attaching block or unit when mounted, a laterally extending abutment or bracket l is provided adapted to extend beneath and interlock With the 7 lower edge of the chassis frame bar 1.

Asa means'of removably mountingand securing the relatively fixed clutch. or brake member to the bearing block at, the latter is provided with clutch or brake shoe carrying abutments r spaced apart and arranged near the outer periphery of the block 4 and, in the present instance, rigidly connected f and braced by means oi the interposed web or bridge member 4.

' The relative circum terentia-lly fixed clutch or brake member is preferably in the specific form of a brake shoe comprising a brake liner carrying section 5, or brake shoe proper, and a brake liner 5 secured thereto in a lhe segmental shoe or liner carrying section is provided at one end with a radially extending flange or lug fi seated on one of the abutmentswt l-and secured thereto by. means of a fastening element or screw 5.

The liner carrying section 5 of the brake shoe is preferably of flexiblematerial and is provided at one end with a carrying bracket 5, terminating in a lug 5. As a'" means of; cushioning and adjusting the relativelycircumferentially fixed clutch or brake 5 relatively or the movable or rotatably mounted clutch or brake member,

hereinafter described, and particularly as a means of causing said brake or clutch member 5 to automatically take up any wear of thefbrakefliner 5*, the abutment r adjacentto the lug S is provided with a threaded adjusting'screw provided at its top witl'i a shoulder and "carrying a collar or washer- G safi'ordin'g a shoulder and having a re drum so that the clutch actuatin duced stem or guide portion 6, surrounded shoe may be adjusted, and consequently the tension of the brake liner 5, carried by the brake shoe 5, may be correspondingly adjusted or set.

As a convenience in manufacture and as-- sembly of parts, the spindle 8 is in the specific "form a removablymounted in a boss opening of the block 4 by means of a nut 8 and as a means oipreventing the spindle 8: from rotating, a cross pin 8 is mounted or seated in a recess S? in the face or the block 4. 'As a means of enclosing the va ious workingparts after being assembled, a surrounding liousing'or casing 9, is provided, said casing being provided with a central opening receiving the end of the spindle 8 and being secured upon the block by means of a nut 8.

j lhe relatively movable clutch or brake is mounted on the spindle Sand, in the present instance, is inthe specific form of a brake druin'rotatably mounted on the axle or spindle 8. As aconvenience in mounting and assembling the parts, and partici'ilarly the interior con'volute spring and attached drum actuated clutch, hereina ter referred to, the brake drum is preferably'made up of two complementary or companion members 10, having interior centrally located bearing'flanges 10, forming the bearing opening Ior thespindle 8 and provided at their outer periphery withinturned rim forming flanges 10 The riin portions l0 are spaced apart 'torini'ng a circumferentially split bralre drum, the split or recess portion 10 forming a guide for the brake drum actuating clutch l1, and being preferably provided with an interior slidablymounted cover or bridge band12. i f 7 its a means of intermittentl actuating and progressively advancing the circumferentially split brake drum 10 with each rebound of the vehicle spring and the spring suspended vehicle chassis, the clutch 11 is provided with a lo'op-eye or arm 1]., connected to a strap or connectinginember 13, leading downwardly and connected to the axle 2 through the medium of a suitable axle clamp or clevisf 1 L;

".s a means of guiding-the clutch 11in its respective working and return movements or impulses, as well as causing such clutch member 11; and the brake drum simultaneously movedin one direction upon rebound ofthe spring supported vehiclejbody, and or re- .to engage with the relatively movable brake sion of the vehicle spring, 7 portion 11 ofthe clutch provided with spaced adapted peripheries Vters Patent"is,'

turning such; clutch i relatively saidlbrake new working impulse to check the rebound,. and as a {means of qulcklyv clutch to'a new position for re-engagement with the brake drum, as upon the sudden compression of the vehicle spring in passing overan obstruction, a convolutesprmg 15 is provided, said spring 15 being connected at its inner end to a spacing and connecting collar 16," interposed between the bearing flanges of brake drum,--said coll'ar being secured {by me'ansof a cross or key pin 17 The outer end of the convolute spring is provided with a coil orloop-eye passing over, a connecting pin 11, and, ifdesired, one end of the 7 bridge band 12 may be connected to the pin 11? on the clutch at the inner side of the brake and being adapted toireciprocate With the clutch. i

4 Having thus described one of the embodiments o'f'my invention, without having attempted to set forthiall the forms in which itmay be made, or all'the modes-of its use, what Iclaim and 1. In combination'with circumferentiallysplitbrake drum and a supporting spindle therefor, a ,convolute' spring connected to the latter and arranged within saidjdr'um,

and a'drum actuating clutch supported and guided bysaid circumferentially split brake drum in' spaced relation to the spindleand' said convolute spring fora new workingfimpulse.

connected to and returned bv 2. In, combination with a -.bearing block carrying, a circumferentially ,s'plit brake" drum and a drum "supporting spindle,

spring arranged withinsaid drum,,-and a drum actuating clutch arranged withinand.

guided by 1 the circumferentially split por-j ,tion of said brake :drum and "connected to 'saidsp'ring' whereby the latter returns the clutch for a new working impulse f'without retrograde Jmo'vement l of sa d drum and means supported from saidrclutch closing the splitand dust to 'th'ejdrum.

SJ In adevice ofthe cha a terdescribed,. a carrying block provlded with a irotatably mounted-" bra'ke drumf'a brakew'shoe-resiliently and adjustablyniounted on saidbloek j in engagement "with said brake'jdrufn', and

a springresistedfloscillatory clutch {mount-" ed on 'andfguided by said drum and movable relatively of 'wi we iii 0 the web or body returning the i the companion members of l the gaging with the nner desire to secure by Let-' I split'peripheralwa wall at the inner of i the brake drum and" combining with the clutchfto prevent-entrance of dirt posite' directions toi intermittently move and 1 I progressively actuated-said. drum.

l. In a device of thecharacter described, I

in-combination with" a "bearing block pro vided with v a spindle carrying a circumfer entially split brake-drum made. up of two spaced companion parts=," and a spring re- 'sisted adjustable brake shoe in engagement with said drum, a drum" actuating clutch.

guided'by said circumferentially split brake; drum and. pringaarrangediwithln said V drumand Iconnected "to said clutch: for reg:

turning. the latter for new working impulses.

5. Ina device of the character described,

brake *drum' comprising two complementary side sections spaced apart forming an p1ntervening V gu1de-way,-1aa'drum actuating clutch member extending in said guide Way" and provided with spaced abutments enof said brake drum, and a convolute'spring within said brake drum connected to said vancementflof said brake drum.

6. In combination with two- {relatively and outer peripheries V clutch member and returning the same for new workingimhulses relative to the eel-:

movable vehicle partsiincluding an inter posed spring, airelativelyw fixed brake shoev and housing attached to one of said vehicle j parts, a relatively movable brake' drum hav ing a split peripheral-wall, a. :clutch con v nected to the other of said vehicle parts and movable in and relatively of and with the of saidrelativelyamow able brake drum in opposite directions upon corresponding movements of said'v'ehicle parts toward and from'each other, the clutch peripheral havinggportions engaging said and outer facesthereof. 'Zgln "a structurej otathe characterdescribed, including asp'ring" suspended vehicle, a:br'acket head including segmental ,brakef member and-an axially ilocated spin dle, an oscillatory brake drum :on the latter surrounded by said; segmental brake member.

guided by, anduarranged to intermittently engage'and release 7' said oscillatory brake p bythe rebound of the vehicle :and the compression drum as moved in opposite directions of said spring, respectively."; i

8. In a'structure lot-the character describe-(Lin combination with relatively movable 'vehicle parts,-a"bracket block on o'nfe of said" parts-fjcarrying a circuui'feren'tiallt a clutch'movable in and guideiclpbythe split portionj'cfsaidbrake-drumand connected to;v

and a spring" resisted, clutch member:

split hollow brake ,"drumfanda relatively" fixed spring iIGSlStGCl-blfillfi member in en-f gagement wlth" the outer periphery thereof,

theothier" of said vehicle parts andl -movabletl posite" directions;npon the movement of 1 I r ly movabl f ehicle parts '111 ilk 6" ment with the outer periphery of said drum,

. ed to said spindle 9. In a devicejof the character described, arbrake drum comprising two complemen tary inwardly flanged side sections spaced apartforming an intervening. guide-way, a

rocking drum actuating'clutch member ex-i tending in said guide-way and provided with spaced abutmentsengagiiig with the inner and outer flanged portions of said brake drum at the outer periphery thereof and a convolute' spring within and independent of said brake drum and connected to said clutch for returning the latter for new working impulses relative to said brake drum n r 10. In adevice or the character described,

in combination with a bearing block pro vided' with a spindle carrying a circumferentially spilt brake drum, a housing covering the latter and connected to said spindle, and a spring resisted brake shoe in engagemounted on and guided by the periphery of t said drum and'movable relatively or and with said drum in opposite directions to intermittently move andprogressively actu-' ate said drum in one direction and in a retrograde direction bysaid spring for new work ing impulses as he'ld by said brake shoe.

' 12. In a structure of the character described, including relatively-movable vehicle parts and an interposed vehicle spring, a

bearing block connected to one of said parts and provided with a relatively fixed segmen- I tal brake shoe, a relatively movable brake member having a facein engagement with thela-tter, means for cushioning and adjusting said brake shoe relative to said relatively movable brake member, meansrorinoving actuating neans without said relatively movable brake member in one direction upon a rebound of the interposed vehicle spring and the movement or said vehicle parts from'each other including a part engaging said face'of the movable brake member, and means for returning said moving said relatively movable brake 'member upon move,- ment of said vehicle parts toward each other and the compression, of-said vehicle spring.

v In a controller for vehiclesprings', in-

a bracket 7 and housing connected to the latter, ashaft eluding a spring supported body,

brake member .on said carried by said block and rctatabic brake drum in engagement with abutments in engagement carried by said bracket and housing and provided with a cushioned means for adjusting the latter to vary the frictional engagement ofthe relatively movable bralre member,

said segmental brake, and a spring resisted oscillatory clutch connected to a relatively movable vehicle member in slidable and guided'relation to" said relatively movable segmental brake,

a f relatively movable spindle engaged by brake member whereby the latter is inter- I mittently and progressively moved 111 one direction against the resistance otsaid segmental brake upon the rebound of the vehicle and said clutch member isslidably moved in an opposite direction to ire-engage said brake 7 member upon a compression spring.

14. In a structure of the character described, an attaching'bearing block provided with relatively fixed abutments, segmental brake shoe carried thereby, a

prov ded with a said brake shoe, a convolute spring connected to and surround ng said spindle within said brake drum, and a drum actuating clutch member connected to said convolute spring and slidably connected to the inner andouter peripheries of said brake drum and movable in an oppositedirection upon like movements or one of the connected vehicle parts whereby said brake drum is intermittently engaged and moved progressively against theresistanceot said brake shoe and said brake drum actuating-clutch is intermittently moved in an opposite direction without imparting movementto said drum.

1!; In a device of the character described, a rotatable brake drum having a split peripheral Wall, a segmental friction element engaging 'saidperipheral wall, a drum actuating member operating in, the split'of the peripheral wall and having portions engaging the inner and outer faces of said peripheral wall and a spring within said brake drum connected to said clutch member; and returning the same for new working impulses relative to the, advancement or the brake drum. V

16. In a device of the character described, a pivot, a brake drum rotatable upon the pivot and having a peripheral wall confronting the pivot, a segmental brake elementhaving "frictional engagement with one race of said peripheral wall, aclutch for rotating the drum having a portion engaging said ia ce of the peripheral walland othel. portions engagingthe opposite face thereof and a spring connected with said clutch 1 and returning of the vehicle bearing spindle the same forv new working impulses relative to the advancement of said brake drum. 17. In ECIBVlCG of the character described,-

arotatable brake drumhaving. a split peripheral wall, a segmental friction Ql611111l3 peripheral Wall and having connected to said clutch member and returning the same for new Working; impulses I'elaizive to the advancement-10f the dorake drum and-e split closing inenihe'r onerating within thejportione' 0 f the splitd unoccupied 10 .7 l

by. the "clutch member and connected With said clutch'm'emben', d

In testimonywhereof I have damned 51113 1" sign'aturei j 'J E I HARBI S. f 

